ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘5.74% GS 2026’,  ‘GoI Floating Rate Bond 2034’, and  ‘6.67%GS 2035’  ‘6.99% GS 2051’
The Government of India  has announced the Sale  of  “5.74% Government Security, 2026” for a notified amount of Rs 9,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method;  ‘‘GoI Floating Rate Bonds, 2034” for a notified amount of Rs 4,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method;  “6.67% Government Security 2035” for a notified amount of Rs 10,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method and  “6.99% Government Security 2051” for a notified amount of Rs 9,000 crore  through price based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on Friday i.e. April 22, 2022.
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the Securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on April 22, 2022. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on April 22, 2022  and payment by successful bidders will be on April 25, 2022 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s statement prior to his departure to Qingdao in China
Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s departure statement prior to his visit to Qingdao in China.
“I will be visiting Qingdao in China for the annual meeting of the Council of Heads of States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization .
I am excited to lead the Indian delegation for our first-ever meeting of the Council as a full member. The SCO has a rich agenda for cooperation, ranging from fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism to promoting cooperation in connectivity, commerce, customs, law, health and agriculture; protecting the environment and mitigating disaster risk; and fostering people-to-people relations. In the last one year since India became a full member of the SCO, our interaction with the Organization and its member States has grown considerably in these areas. I believe that the Qingdao Summit will further enrich the SCO agenda, while heralding a new beginning for India’s engagement with the SCO.
India enjoys deep friendship and multi-dimensional ties with the Member States of the SCO. On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, I will have the opportunity of meeting and sharing views with several other leaders, including the Heads of States of many SCO Member States.”
Ministry of Coal
Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao takes charge as Minister of State Coal and Minister of State Mines
Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao took over as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Mines here today. In addition to Coal and Mines, he has also been assigned the portfolio of Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways.
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi extended his best wishes to Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao on assuming charge today. Shri Anil Kumar Jain Secretary Coal, Shri Alok Tandon, Secretary Mines, and Senior officers of both the Ministries were present on this occasion.
Ministry of Finance
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman takes charge as the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman assumed charge as the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs here today. She was greeted at the office in North Block by Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs designate, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Finance Secretary Shri Subhash Chandra Garg and other Secretaries of the Ministry. Smt. Sitharaman is the first woman appointed as the full-time Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs.
After assuming the charge, the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs was briefed on the key initiatives and policy issues by the Secretaries of the different departments of the Ministry of Finance & Corporate Affairs and was apprised of the ongoing issues and the forthcoming challenges facing the Indian economy among others.
BRIEF PROFILE:
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has served as the Union Defence Minister since 2017. She is currently a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament  from Karnataka. In 2014, she was elected as Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. She has also served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs and later the Minister for Commerce and Industry with Independent Charge.
As the Defence Minister, Smt. Sitharaman is credited with expediting the decision-making process relating to procurement in defence sector. She constituted a Defence Planning Committee to formulate an “action plan” to effectively overcome with various security challenges facing the nation.
Smt. Sitharaman joined the Bhartiya Janta Party  in 2008 and has served as a national spokesperson for the party since 2010.
Smt. Sitharaman was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on August 18, 1959. She completed her graduation from Seethalakshmi Ramasamy College, Tiruchirappalli and obtained her M.A.  from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Department of Pharmaceuticals has taken several measures to create suitable environment for development of domestic capacity in the pharma sector : Shri Gowda
Government has launched schemes for development of three Bulk Drug Parks and four Medical Device Parks across the country
Bulk drug & medical device parks expected to attract cumulative investment of Rs 77900 crore; can generate about 2,55,000 employment : Shri Gowda
Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri. D.V. Sadananda Gowda has said that his Department of Pharmaceuticals has taken several measures to create suitable environment for development of domestic capacity in the pharma sector . He said Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has recently said that ‘India’s Pharma Industry is an asset not just for India but for the entire world. It has played a leading role in reducing the cost of medicines especially for developing countries.’
Addressing the Inaugural Session of CII's 12th MedTech Global Summit Charting the MedTech route to AtmaNirbhar Bharat, Shri Gowda said that to strengthen country’s drug security, the Government is committed to build Atmanirbharta in the pharma sector. Government has launched schemes for development of three Bulk Drug Parks and four Medical Device Parks across the country. Apart from increasing Central assistance for development of common infrastructure facilities in the parks, Union Government will also extend Production Linked Incentive  to manufacturers of bulk drugs and medical devices in these parks.
The minister said, Government will provide incentive at the rate of 5 % on incremental sales for a period of five years from Fiscal Year 2021-22 to 2025-26, with total outlay of Rs 3420 crore. Department of Pharmaceuticals has already released evaluation criteria for selection of units for this scheme on July 27, 2020. A time period of 120 days has been given for filing applications. He said it is the right time for companies to take advantage of this scheme.
The two-pronged strategy of incentivizing production and creation of common infrastructure will offset higher cost of production. This will make domestic companies as competitive as their peers in foreign countries, and provide a level playing field to them. within a period of 2 -3 years, due to right policies of the Government under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, pharma sector will become AtmaNirbhar, not only in sense of meeting domestic requirements but also for fulfilling global demand of low cost - high quality medicines and medical devices.
Shri Gowda informed that the schemes for development of bulk drug & medical device parks are expected to attract cumulative investment of about Rs 77900 crore and can generate about 2,55,000 employment. "For medical device sector alone, investment could be to the tune of Rs 40000 crore with generation of 1,40,000 new employment opportunities," he added.
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Prime Minister's Office
Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
His Excellency Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi earlier today.
Secretary Patrushev briefed Prime Minister on his fruitful exchanges with NSA and EAM earlier in the day and expressed Russia’s strong commitment to further deepen its ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ with India.
Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the visit of the Russian delegation led by Secretary Patrushev at a time when major changes are taking place in the region.
He asked Secretary Patrushev to convey his thanks to President Putin for his constant attention towards the India-Russia Partnership. He also said that he was looking forward to welcoming President Putin in India in the near future, for the bilateral summit.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said,
"रक्षा बंधन के पावन पर्व पर समस्त देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं।"
Ministry of Science & Technology
TWO-DAY SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME ON WAYS OF WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Kolkata, January 16, 2020.
CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur had organized a two-day Skill Development Training Programme on “Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation for Water Quality Assessment” on CSIR-CMERI. The two day’s training program was inaugurated today by Dr. Dipankar Das, Lab-in-charge of Durgapur Regional laboratory of West Bengal Pollution Control Board  in presence of Prof.  Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur.
On this occasion Prof. Harish Hirani, Director CSIR-CMERI emphasizes on importance on water conservation and recycling of wastewater and the role of CSIR-CMERI in bringing excellent water purification technologies for the society.
Dr. Dipankar Das, Lab-in-charge of Durgapur Regional laboratory of West Bengal Pollution Control Board  gave an overview of role of WBPCB for the quality assurance and quality control of the wastewater effluents.
Dr. Biswajit Ruj, Sr.Principal Scientist & Head, Environmental Engg. Group addressed the students of various colleges across the region on the importance of water quality and their impact on human health. Thirty nine students participated in this programme from various colleges and university and given an overview of various aspects of water quality parameters prescribed by the regulatory bodies and assess them using sophisticated analytical instrumentation.
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates 14.5 km long Rail-cum-Road-bridge over Ganga River approach project on NH 333B in Munger, Bihar at a cost of Rs.696 crore
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 14.5 km long Rail-cum-Road-bridge over Ganga River approach project on NH 333B in Munger, Bihar at a cost of Rs.696 crore. In a series of tweets Shri Gadkari said under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar we are committed to empower every city, every village of Bihar with better connectivity.
The Minister said one of the major tourist and pilgrimage sites of Bihar, the city of Munger is known for its rich ancient history, culture, education and commerce. He said with the construction of this bridge, the distance from Munger to Khagaria will be less than 100 km and the distance from Munger to Begusarai will be less than 20 km. He said there will be a saving of three hours in traveling from Munger to Khagaria - Saharsa and 45 minutes in traveling from Munger to Begusarai - Samastipur. Th Minister said this rail-cum-road-bridge will get rid of traffic jams, Fuel will be saved and traffic will accelerate.
Shri Gadkari said there will be an increase in tourism, agriculture and industry, which will increase employment. He said this project will bring progress and prosperity in the entire region, which will prove to be a milestone in the progress of the state of Bihar and the country.
Ministry of Finance
88% growth in volume of digital transactions during last 3 years since 2018-19
With over 22 billion transactions in FY 2020-21, UPI emerges as favourite digital payment choice
As a result of the initiatives taken by the Government, there has been a paradigm shift in digital transactions in India. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
The Minster stated that the paradigm shift is reflected in terms of the increase in the volume of digital transactions over the last three financial years as illustrated below:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Volume 
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2,32,602
|
|
2019-20
|
|
3,40,025
|
|
2020-21
|
|
4,37,445
Source: RBI
As observed from the above table, there has been a growth of 88% in volume of digital transactions during the last 3 years since 2018-19, the Minister stated.
The digital transaction platform is a pan India platform with a facility of ‘’anytime anywhere’’ banking. Accordingly, the data is captured only at the National level, the Minister added.
The Minister further stated that as per the data sourced from National Payments Corporation of India , India’s own payment platform, UPI has emerged as the country’s favourite digital payment choice, with over 22 billion transactions registered during FY 2020-21, showing 4 times growth over the last 3 years. Also, AePS inter-bank transactions during FY 2020-21 registered a 9-fold growth, over the past 4 years.
To promote digital transaction in the country, the Minister stated that RuPay debit cards are issued to Jan-Dhan account holders under Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana . As on 08.12.2021, 31.17 crore RuPay debit cards have been issued to PMJDY account holders. As digital payment is one of the priorities of the Government to facilitate hassle free and seamless banking transactions in the country, several other initiatives have been taken by Government of India through its various programs/agencies, Reserve Bank of India  and banks, to promote and create awareness about digital payments in rural areas.
While answering a question on preventing frauds in digital transactions, the Minister state that the Unique Identification Authority of India  issues the Aadhaar numbers to the residents of the country and provides authentication services for establishing identity of the individual. UIDAI already provides for various modes of authentication namely biometric , One Time Pin-based  and demographic authentication. These can be used in a single factor or multi-factor mode. Any user agency/ department can opt for one or a combination of these modes depending upon their security/ risk assessment of their respective systems, the Minister stated.
The Minster further apprised that NPCI, RuPay Debit and Credit cards are used at both domestic and international payment gateways. These international and domestic transactions are facilitated by NPCI’s International network partners and domestic tie-ups. In addition, acquiring banks also have their own payment gateways that work with RuPay cards.
Ministry of Mines
Recovery from Mining Firms
Details of the mining firms in Goa which are involved in illegal mining as per the report of the Shah Commission of Inquiry are available on the website of the Ministry of Mines in the Policy and Legislation Menu. Web link: 
As per the information furnished by the State Government of Goa, the State Government of Goa has appointed Chartered Accountants to carry out assessment to ascertain pending dues from the mining companies. As per the summary report of Chartered Accountants, total dues from the mining companies were assessed at Rs. 352.23 crores, of which an amount of Rs. 80.47 crores has been recovered so far. Besides the above, there are other cases which are under investigation with Special Investigating Team .
As per the information provided by the State Government of Goa, these matters are under investigation with Special Investigation Team .
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
UPSC
Final Result of Indian Economic Service/ Indian Statistical Service Examination-2021
Based on the results of the written examination of the Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2021 held bytheUNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION from16thto 18thJuly, 2021followed byinterviews for Personality Test from 29thNovemberto 1stDecember, 2021, the following arethe lists, in orderof merit,of the candidates who have been recommended for appointment to the posts in Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service.
2. The number of vacancies reported by the Government for posts to be filled is as under:-
|
|
Service
|
|
GEN
|
|
EWS
|
|
OBC
|
|
SC
|
|
ST
|
|
Total
|
|
Indian Economic Service
|
|
07
|
|
01
|
|
04
|
|
02
|
|
01
|
|
15
|
|
Indian Statistical Service
|
|
04
|
|
02
|
|
03
|
|
01
|
|
01
|
|
11
[Inc. 01 PwBD-3]
3. The number of candidates recommended for appointment to the posts in Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service is as under:
|
|
Service
|
|
GEN
|
|
EWS
|
|
OBC
|
|
SC
|
|
ST
|
|
Total
|
|
Indian Economic Service
|
|
07
|
|
01
|
|
04
|
|
02
|
|
01
|
|
15
|
|
Indian Statistical Service
|
|
03
|
|
03
|
|
03
|
|
01
|
|
01
|
|
11
[incl. 01 PwBD-3]
4. Appointments shall be made strictly in accordance with the extant rules and the number of vacancies available.
5. The Result of following Roll Nos. of recommended candidates areprovisional :
Indian Economic Service 
Indian Statistical Service 
6. The offer of appointment to the candidates whose result has been kept provisional will not be issued till the Commission verifies the original documents awaited from such candidates and till clarifies the provisional status of these candidates. The provisionality of these candidates will remain valid only for a period of three months from the date of declaration of Final result. In case the candidate fails to submit the requisite documents as required by the Commission within this period, their candidature will be cancelled and no further correspondence would be entertained in this regard.
7. UPSC has a 'Facilitation Counter' near Examination Hall in its campus. Candidates can obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination/ recruitment on the working day between 10.00 hrs. to17.00 hrs in person or over telephone nos. 011-23385271 / 23381125. Result will also be available on the UPSC web site i.e. www.upsc.gov.inMarks of the candidates shall be made available on the website within fifteen days from the date of publciation of the result.
Click here for result IES:
Click here for result ISS:
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India crosses a crucial milestone in the fight against COVID-19
Tests more than 10 lakh people in a day
Keeping to its promise of exponentially increasing the daily COVID-19 tests to 10 lakhs, India has crossed the significant milestone in its fight against COVID today.
In a testament to the determined, focussed, consistent and coordinated efforts of the Centre and the State/UT governments, India has conducted 1 million tests in the past 24 hours. With 10,23,836 tests done yesterday, India has achieved its resolve to test 10 lakh samples daily.
With this achievement, the cumulative tests are more than 3.4 crore .
The number of daily tests has been increasing in a steep climb. Average daily tests during the past three weeks also strongly depict the progress made in enhancement of COVID-19 tests across the country.
As has been reported from States/UTs that have pushed ahead with aggressive testing, there is a commensurate decline in the positivity rate. Although higher number of tests will initially lead to a rise in the positivity rate, it will eventually lower when combined with other measures such as prompt isolation, efficient tracking, and timely effective and clinical management.
Combined with enhanced testing, policy decisions of the Centre and the States/UTs have facilitated easy testing across the country. This has boosted the daily testing capacity.
Enhanced diagnostic lab network has also sided in this achievement. Today, the country has a strong network of 1511 labs comprising 983 labs in the government sector and 528 private labs. These include:
• Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 778 
• TrueNat based testing labs: 615 
• CBNAAT based testing labs: 118 
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Prime Minister's Office
PM Pays Tribute to Sir Chotu Ram Ji on His Birth Anniversary
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tribute to Sir Chotu Ram Ji on his birth anniversary.
The Prime Minister, recalled his services for the farmers and said that Sir Chotu Ram Ji not only fought for the rights of the farmers but also became the voice of workers, vulnerable and exploited sections of the society. His contribution for the upliftment of the society will always be remembered, the Prime Minister said.
DS/SKS
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